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James Two: Legit Faith

There has been no small amount of confusion over the implications of James two. While neither time nor space permit me a full treatment of the issue, I want to simply interject a thought or two. The crux of the issue is this- there are some groups that classify themselves under the umbrella of Christianity that don’t (in my opinion), quite grasp the idea of being justified by faith. When pressed on the issue, they often turn to James 2:26, which says that “faith apart from works is dead.” Therefore, faith alone must not save…nor will works alone, but some combination therein. So they say. I have to disagree.

What James is saying is this: it’s impossible to have a salvific faith that isn’t also played out in our daily lives. The reason for this is simple; as faith is part and parcel of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, true faith therefore does not and cannot exist in a vacuum. Those believing are born again. Those born again are new creations- created for good works planned for us in eternity past. So don’t believe that you can go to Heaven based on good works…but at the same time, look for them. Their absence speaks volumes.